The Australian Immunisation Handbook 10th Edition 2013

Co-administration with other vaccines
Hepatitis A vaccines are inactivated vaccines and can be administered either
simultaneously with, or at any time before or after, all other vaccines relevant
to international travel. 24
Combination hepatitis A/hepatitis B vaccines can be administered
simultaneously with, or at any time before or after, all other vaccines relevant
to international travel.
The combination hepatitis A/typhoid vaccine can be administered
simultaneously with, or at any time before or after, all other vaccines relevant
to international travel.
Interchangeability of hepatitis A vaccines
Although the manufacturers use slightly different production methods and
quantify the HAV antigen content in their respective vaccines differently, the
hepatitis A vaccines of the different manufacturers used in ‘equivalent’ schedules
in Table 4.4.1 can be considered interchangeable, when given in a 2-dose course.
As there is only one brand of combination hepatitis A/hepatitis B vaccine,
interchangeability is not relevant. (See also ‘Recommendations for the use of
combination hepatitis A/hepatitis B vaccines’ in 4.4.7 Recommendations below.)
4.4.7 Recommendations
Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for persons with an increased risk
of acquiring hepatitis A and/or who are at increased risk of severe disease.
Serological testing for immunity to hepatitis A from previous infection is
not usually required prior to vaccination, but may be indicated in some
circumstances (see ‘Serological testing for hepatitis A immunity from infection
and/or vaccination’ below).
When vaccination against both hepatitis A and hepatitis B (or hepatitis A and
typhoid) is indicated, combination vaccines may be used, as described below.
Recommendations for hepatitis A vaccine
Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for the following groups:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children residing in the Northern Territory, Queensland,
South Australia and Western Australia
Two doses of hepatitis A vaccine are required for Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander children living in these jurisdictions, due to the increased risk for
hepatitis A in this population (see 4.4.3 Epidemiology above). Vaccination for
these children should commence in the 2nd year of life, with the 1st dose given
between 12 and 18 months of age, and the 2nd dose given between 18 and 24
months of age. The recommended interval between doses is 6 months (see
Table 4.4.1). State/territory health authorities should be contacted about local
hepatitis A vaccination schedules, including catch-up.
PART 4 VACCINE-PREVENTABLE DISEASES 203
4.4 HEPATITIS A